System, apparatus and method for associating an anticipated success indication with data delivery

ABSTRACT

Systems, apparatuses and methods for determining success rates for the transfer and/or utilization of transmitted applications or other communicated services. An intermediary device specifies one or more device attributes of a target device, which are received at a server. The server determines an anticipated success rate for successfully transferring the requested content to the device and/or utilizing the content at the target device, and transfers an indication of the anticipated success rate to the intermediary device. The anticipated success rate indication is received at the intermediary device, which then determines whether the received anticipated success rate indication meets threshold criteria. If so, the intermediary device notifies the server to initiate the transfer of the content from the server to the target device if the threshold criteria is met.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to data communications, and moreparticularly to systems, methods and apparatuses for derivinganticipated success rates for content delivery.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Advances in communication infrastructures and devices have turnedstandard communication devices into valuable tools. Device users cancommunicate with each other, and with other electronic devices, overnetworks ranging from Local Area Networks (LANs) to wide reaching GlobalArea Networks (GANs) such as the Internet. Wireless communicationsdevices such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants and the likeare often designed to interface with such networks as well as with theirlocal surroundings using short-range wireless technologies.

Both landline and wireless computing systems are presently capable ofreceiving information in a variety of content types and formats, from avariety of different sources including networked sources. Landlinesystems, such as desktop computers, workstations, terminals, etc.generally utilize commercially-available Web browsers in order tointeract with various kinds of Internet resources. This type of browseris generally a software program stored locally at the client device. Inthe Internet context, web content created with Hypertext Markup Language(HTML) or other language can be read by such Web browsers. Analogoustechnologies exist for communicating landline content via wirelessdevices.

There is an ever-increasing demand for the consumption of Internet orother network-sourced content on smaller devices such as mobile phones,personal digital assistants, laptop computers and the like. For example,the popularity and resulting proliferation of these portable and/orhand-held wireless devices has fueled the need to make contenttraditionally available to desktop and other landline computing systemsalso available to mobile device users. Today, these wireless devices notonly facilitate voice communication, but also messaging, multimediacommunications, e-mail, Internet browsing, and access to a wide range ofwireless applications and services.

As a result of the proliferation of wireless technologies, a multitudeof different device types having different capabilities are currentlyavailable. A vast quantity of applications and services has becomeavailable to these devices, and the quantity of such applications andservices available to these devices will continue to grow. In additionto new applications/services being available to these devices, thecorresponding software residing on these devices may be subject torevisions, version upgrades and the like. However, the resultingfragmentation of systems, operating systems, networks, terminalcapabilities, and/or other distinctive characteristics has caused somefragmentation in the use of services. When a device user attempts todownload or otherwise receive content, service applications, software,etc., the device to which such data is targeted may not always result ina successful download, and/or may not be compatible in that thedownloaded data does not operate correctly on the device. Currently, theuser has no way of knowing whether his or her device is likely tosuccessfully download the data or to successfully execute/utilize theapplication, content or other data.

Accordingly, there is a need in the communications industry for a mannerof notifying prospective data consumers of the likelihood ofsuccessfully downloading, executing or otherwise using the content,application, software or other data to which he or she is seeking toacquire. The present invention fulfills these and other needs, andoffers other advantages over the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To overcome limitations in the prior art described above, and toovercome other limitations that will become apparent upon reading andunderstanding the present specification, the present invention disclosessystems, apparatuses and methods for ascertaining success rates for thetransfer and/or utilization of transmitted applications or othercommunicated services.

A method is provided in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.The method includes specifying device attributes of a device, and inresponse receives an anticipated success indication for transferringcontent to the device and/or rendering software in the device with oneor more of the device attributes. The received anticipated successindication is compared to a threshold success indication. Based on aresult of the comparison, at least one of initiating transfer of thecontent and rendering software in the device is facilitated.

According to a more particular embodiment of such a method, one or morenetwork attributes associated with a network by which the transfer ofthe content to the device will be effected are specified, and theanticipated success indication is received in response to specifying thedevice attributes and the network attributes.

In another embodiment, specifying one or more device attributes of adevice involves specifying the device attributes over a network via anetworked device distinct from the device. In an alternative embodiment,specifying one or more device attributes of a device involves specifyingthe device attributes over a network via the device itself.

In other embodiments of such a method, specifying device attributes mayinvolve specifying information identifying the device and/or informationidentifying capabilities of the device. In another embodiment,specifying one or more device attributes involves selecting the deviceattributes in response to a presented prompt(s) for the deviceattributes. In yet another embodiment one or more additional deviceattributes of the device are specified, and in response is the receiptof an updated anticipated success indication for transferring thecontent to the device based on the device attribute(s) and theadditional device attribute(s) of the device.

In still another embodiment, receiving an anticipated success indicationfor rendering software in the device further involves receiving theanticipated success indication for executing the software at the devicein response to specifying at least the device attribute(s). In anotherembodiment, comparing the received anticipated success indication to athreshold success indication involves comparing the received anticipatedsuccess indication to a threshold success indication to determinewhether the anticipated success indication is greater than the thresholdsuccess indication, and automatically initiating the transfer of thecontent to the device and/or the rendering of the software in the deviceif the received anticipated success indication is greater than thethreshold success indication.

In another embodiment of such a method, facilitating selectiveinitiation of a transfer of the content to the device involvespresenting at least one user-selectable option for specifying whether ornot to initiate the transfer of the content to the device. In yetanother embodiment, the device is a mobile device capable of wirelesscommunication.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a method is providedfor associating an anticipated success indication with data delivery.The method includes receiving, such as via a server, one or more deviceattributes of a device and an identification of requested content. Ananticipated success rate for successfully transferring the requestedcontent to the device and/or utilizing the content at the device isdetermined, and the indication of the anticipated success rate istransmitted.

In another embodiment of such a method, the content includes software,and determining an anticipated success rate thus involves determiningthe anticipated success rate for both successfully transferring therequested software to the device and successfully implementing therequested software on the device. According to another embodiment,transferring the anticipated success rate indication involvestransferring the anticipated success rate indication to anintermediary/proxy computing system from which a decision whether toinitiate a download of the requested content to the device is specified.

One embodiment further involves modifying an encoding of the requestedcontent based on the determined anticipated success rate. A moreparticular embodiment further involves modifying the encoding of therequested content to reduce a size of the requested content when networktraffic has increased. Another particular embodiment involves modifyingthe encoding of the requested content to reduce a size of the requestedcontent when network traffic is projected to increase, consequentlyincreasing the determined anticipated success rate.

In another embodiment, determining an anticipated success rate involvesdetermining the anticipated success rate based on a first set ofinformation including the one or more device attributes of the device. Amore particular embodiment involves receiving one or more additionaldevice attributes of the device, and determining the anticipated successrate based on both the first set of information and on a second set ofinformation including the one or more additional device attributes.

In embodiments of such a method, receiving one or more device attributesmay involve any one or more of receiving information identifying thedevice, information identifying capabilities of the device, etc. Anotherembodiment further or alternatively involves receiving informationregarding network attributes associated with a network by which thetransfer of the content to the device will be effected. A moreparticular embodiment further involves determining the anticipatedsuccess rate based on the one or more device attributes and theinformation regarding the network attributes.

In still another embodiment, determining an anticipated success rateinvolves determining the anticipated success rate based on the deviceattribute(s) and on historical success rates for transferring therequested content at different encoding levels. In another embodiment,determining an anticipated success rate involves determining theanticipated success rate based on the device attribute(s) and onhistorical success rates for transferring the requested content atdifferent encoding levels in different geographical areas. In yetanother embodiment, the device is represented by a mobile device capableof wireless communication.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, an apparatus isprovided that includes at least transmitting, receiving and processingmodules. The transmitting module is configured to transmit one or moreattributes of a target device. The receiving module is configured to, inresponse to transmitting the one or more target device attributes,receive an anticipated success indication for transferring content tothe target device and/or utilizing software in the device with one ormore of the target device attributes. The processing module isconfigured to determine whether the received anticipated successindication meets threshold criteria, and to allow initiation of thetransfer of the content to the target device and/or utilizing of thesoftware in the target device if the threshold criteria is met.

According to one embodiment, the apparatus is implemented in anintermediary (e.g., proxy) device distinct from the target device. Inone embodiment, the proxy device involves a computing device capable ofcommunicating over one or more networks. In an alternative embodimentthe apparatus is implemented in the target device itself.

Still another embodiment involves the transmitting module transmittingat least information identifying the target device as the one or moretarget device attributes. In another embodiment the transmitting moduletransmits at least information identifying capabilities of the targetdevice as the one or more target device attributes.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a server isprovided that includes a database to store content, a receiving module,a processing module, and a transmitting module. The receiving module isconfigured to receive one or more device attributes of a device and anidentification of requested content from the database. The processingmodule is configured to determine an anticipated success rate forsuccessfully transferring the requested content to the device and/orutilizing the content at the device based on at least the one or moredevice attributes. The transmitting module is configured to transmit anindication of the anticipated success rate in response to havingreceived the one or more device attributes and the identification of therequested content.

In one embodiment, the receiving module is further configured to receiveone or more network attributes associated with one or more networksexpected to be involved with a transfer of the requested content to thedevice, and the processing module is further configured to determine theanticipated success rate based on at least the one or more networkattributes. In yet another embodiment, the processing module is furtherconfigured to determine the anticipated success rate based on at leastone or more of date and time.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided.The method involves specifying, via a proxy device, one or more deviceattributes of a target device. The device attributes and anidentification of requested content are received at a server thatdetermines an anticipated success rate for successfully transferring therequested content to the device and/or utilizing the content at thetarget device, and transfers an indication of the anticipated successrate to the proxy device. The proxy device receives the anticipatedsuccess rate indication, determines whether the received anticipatedsuccess rate indication meets threshold criteria, and notifies theserver to initiate the transfer of the content from the server to thetarget device if the threshold criteria is met.

The above summary of the invention is not intended to describe everyembodiment or implementation of the present invention. Rather, attentionis directed to the following figures and description which sets forthrepresentative embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in connection with the embodimentsillustrated in the following diagrams.

FIG. 1 illustrates a representative system for providing a success-basedusability index according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are flow diagrams illustrating exemplary embodiments ofproviding a success usability index in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates another representative embodiment of a method forproviding success rate indicator in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 generally illustrates the server's receipt of relevantinformation/factors and the consequent calculation of a likely successrate for ultimate consideration by a device and/or user;

FIG. 5 illustrates a representative working example in which at leastterminal-related information is provided by a computing device toultimately obtain an indication of the likely success rate fordownloading and/or using the identified content on a target device;

FIG. 6 illustrates a representative example of a statistical analysisand recording at the server; and

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate representative device and server systems inwhich the present invention may be implemented or otherwise utilized.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the following description of the exemplary embodiment, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in whichis shown by way of illustration various manners in which the inventionmay be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may beutilized, as structural and operational changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

Generally, the present invention is directed to systems, apparatuses andmethods for ascertaining success rates for the transfer and/orutilization of transmitted applications or other communicated services.

For example, there are a wide variety of device types, and an even widervariety of services (e.g., applications and/or other software) thatdevices may use. In addition, software often undergoes new releases,version upgrades and the like. The fragmentation of systems, operatingsystems, networks, terminal capabilities and/or other differentiatingenvironment attributes can lead to or otherwise contribute to thefragmentation of service usage. The present invention involves theutilization of a success rate factor(s) that provides guidance forfuture usage. When such success rate indicators are used in connectionwith, for example, the provisioning of services on a device, the serviceofferings in fragmented fields can be enhanced by the use of theestablished success rate for that combination of device and/or networkenvironment attributes. For example, users can be notified of how wellan application has worked in a similar type of device before the userattempts to download that application to his or her device. Thisfacilitates a better user experience having numerous possibilities, suchas targeted service offerings and/or recommendations based on the userdevice and success rate history for that device, device capabilities,and/or network environment conditions.

One representative embodiment of a system for providing a success-basedusability index is shown in FIG. 1. In the example of FIG. 1,communication is facilitated by way of one or more networks 100, whichmay include any type of network(s) such as infrastructure-basednetworks, proximity networks, peer-to-peer networks, etc. One or more ofthe devices may also communicate directly using non-networkcommunication mechanisms (e.g., direct connection).

The embodiment of FIG. 1 involves a device 102, such as a mobile devicecapable of communicating information wirelessly. For example, a mobiledevice may include a mobile phone 102A, personal digital assistant 102B,laptop/notebook computing system 102C or other 102D device capable of atleast wireless communication. While the device 102 need not be a mobiledevice, and can alternatively be a desktop/workstation or otherprocessing/communication device in accordance with the invention, thedevice 102 of FIG. 1 is represented as a mobile device. In theillustrated embodiment it is assumed that the device 102 can receive,store and/or otherwise utilize certain content. Examples of such contentinclude applications, programs or other software (used interchangeablyherein) that can be utilized by way of the mobile device 102. In theillustrated embodiment, it is assumed that content, such as a newsoftware item or upgraded software item, is to be considered fordownloading to the mobile device 102. For example, the mobile device 102may store various software items 104, represented by particular softwareitem 104A and possibly a corresponding version 104B. In the illustratedembodiment, the mobile device is the target of a possible addition of anew software item 104A, and/or an upgraded version 104B to an existingsoftware item 104A. It should be recognized, however, that the presentinvention is equally applicable to situations where the mobile device102 is the target of content other than a software item, such asdifferent formats of images, video, audio, etc.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a device identifiesa software item(s) (or other content) to possibly download to the mobiledevice 102. In one embodiment, the mobile device 102 itself identifiesthe downloadable software item, and in another embodiment another deviceidentifies the downloadable software item on behalf of the mobile device102. For example, a computing device 106 or other communication deviceoperable on the network 100 can serve as a proxy to identify the contentfor downloading to the mobile device 102, as well as provide informationand responsively receive a success rate indication for effecting adownload of the content to the mobile device 102. Embodiments aredescribed in greater detail below. For purposes of FIG. 1, it is assumedthat the computing device 106 performs the functions of identifying therelevant download factors and the content for downloading to the mobiledevice 102, and receives the success rate indication(s) for effectingthe download of the content.

As previously indicated, certain software, software upgrades, or othercontent may or may not work effectively on certain devices 102, and/ormay involve other factors that may affect the downloading of the contentto the mobile device 102. The present invention enables information tobe provided to, and/or collected by, a system such as the server 108 toascertain an approximate likelihood of effecting a successful transferand/or operation of the content on the target device 102. In theembodiment of FIG. 1, the computing device 106 provides some information110A to facilitate the desired content download. This information mayinclude, for example, any one or more of the target device 102 type,model, manufacturer, operating system, terminal capabilities, userpreferences, etc. As shown in FIG. 1, none, one or more of theseinformation items 110B may alternatively or additionally be provided byway of the target device 102 itself. Other information may alternativelyor additionally be provided, such as network attributes 110C. Suchnetwork attributes may include, for example, any one or more of networktraffic conditions and/or network congestion state, network type (e.g.,GSM, CDMA, etc.), network downloading restrictions, available quality ofservice, date or time of day (e.g., anticipated high network trafficperiods), network routing or re-routing issues (e.g., a local serverbeing down and a more remote content provider being relied upon), andthe like.

A network element, such as the server(s) 108, receives such information.The server 108 may include, or otherwise have access to, a database 112.The database 112 collects the information of the various devices 102, asdepicted by the exemplary database contents/information 114. Suchinformation 114 may include, for example, the device 102 manufacturer114A, device 102 type 114B, software version 114C, and/or any otherrelevant information 114D. For the various devices (e.g., device 102 andothers) that provide such information to the server(s) 108, a successrate for downloading and/or executing such content on the same orsimilar device can be computed using, for example, the success ratecomputation module 116 at the server 108. Thus, the success ratecomputation module 116 can store an anticipated success rate 114E forhistorical success rates for similar devices and/or under similardownload conditions.

When the computing device 106 and/or mobile device 102 provides theinformation 110A/B/C to the server 108, a corresponding success rate fordownloading and/or executing the content on the device 102 can then beobtained from the database 114. The appropriate success rate 114E canthen be provided 118 back to the computing device 106 as shown by path118A and/or to the mobile device 102 itself as shown by path 118B. Inthe case of providing this success rate to the computing device 106 viapath 118A, the computing device 106 can then automatically, or by way ofuser input, initiate the downloading of the desired content to themobile device 102. For example, if the success rate for executing thedesired content on the device 102 is shown to be 2%, the user may choosenot to download the content, or may choose to take an alternate action.As another example, the computing device 106 may be programmed toautomatically initiate a download attempt of the desired content fromthe server 108 to the mobile device 102 if the received success rate isabove a threshold value. Numerous options are available to therequesting device 106/102 upon receiving the anticipated success rateindicator for the desired content download. If the computing device 106or the mobile device 102 initiates the transfer, the content 120 is thenprovided to the mobile device.

FIG. 2A is a flow diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of amanner for providing a success usability index in accordance with theinvention. In the illustrated embodiment, the target device forreceiving the software or other content is a mobile device. One or moredevice attributes of the mobile device are specified 200. These deviceattributes can include any attribute, capability, preference or othercharacteristic attributable to the mobile device. Such attributes mayinvolve information enabling the server to detect or otherwise identifythe type of target device. By way of example and not of limitation, suchdevice attributes may include the actual manufacturer of the mobiledevice, device model, firmware or other version, etc. Other attributesmay include terminal capabilities, such as the language, location,supported content types, network or network operator, camera, operatingsystem, browser version(s), screen size, pixel ratio, memory capacity,etc.

In response to specifying such information, an anticipated successindication for operating the content at the mobile device is received202. In one embodiment the anticipated success indication is received ata device different from the target mobile device, such as a computingdevice. In another embodiment, the target mobile device itself can bethe recipient of the anticipated success indication. As previouslyindicated, the anticipated success indicator provides an indication of alikelihood of success of operating the content on the target mobiledevice. The “content” may be software, such that the success rateindicator indicates the success rate of executing that software on thetype of target device defined by at least the device attributesspecified at block 200. The content may be other types of content, suchas content for presentation, which can include images, audio, video,etc. Further, the success indication for “operating” the content mayinclude the likelihood of successfully executing software, presentingvisual and/or audio content, downloading the content, etc. Thus, unlessotherwise indicated, the operating of the content may alternatively oradditionally include downloading or otherwise transferring the content.

The method of FIG. 2A includes facilitating 204 the selective initiationof a content transfer to the target mobile device. For example, theselective initiation may be a manual initiation of the content transferby the user. The user may receive the success rate indicator via thetarget mobile device or via another device such as a computing device,and can initiate the content transfer by way of, for example, a userinterface. In other embodiments, the receiving device can automaticallyinitiate the transfer based on some criteria, such as if the successrate indicator is above a certain threshold, where the threshold can beany success rate (e.g., including zero or hundred percent).

The flow diagram of FIG. 2B illustrates another representativeembodiment of providing a success usability index in accordance with theinvention. One or more device attributes of the device are specified210. In response, an anticipated success indication for transferringcontent to the device, and/or for rendering software in the device, isreceived 212. Thus, the anticipated success indication can be used forat least one of the process of transferring content to the device andrendering software in the device. By using the anticipated successindication for at least one of the transferring and rendering ofsoftware, it is not intended that the system be capable of providing theanticipated success indication for both the transferring of content andrendering of software, although that may be the case. As a moreparticular example, where the content is a device-independent media item(e.g., bitmap image), the system may only be interested in ananticipated success indication for the transfer of the content. Asanother example, the content may be media that may not be capable ofbeing executed on many devices (e.g., certain video formats, audioformats, etc.) or relates to software that may not be executable oncertain devices. In such a case, the anticipated success indication maybe for one or both of the transferring of the content and renderingincluded software. The term “rendering” is used broadly herein, meaningany use, operation, execution, etc. of the software on the device.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2B, it is determined whether the anticipatedsuccess indication is acceptable. In one embodiment, this determinationis made by comparing the received anticipated success indication to athreshold success indication, as depicted at decision block 214. If thereceived anticipated success indication is acceptable as determined bythe comparison to the threshold success indication, selective initiationof the content transfer and/or rendering of the software is facilitated216.

FIG. 3 illustrates another representative embodiment of a method forproviding success rate indicator. In the illustrated embodiment, thecontent to be transferred is software that is executable on a targetmobile device. The software may include at least one or more programsand/or one or more program updates that are to be transferred to, andexecuted by, a mobile device such as a mobile phone, personal digitalassistant, computing device, etc. The success rate indicator of theembodiment of FIG. 3 can indicate the likelihood of successfullydownloading and/or executing or otherwise utilizing the software on thetarget mobile device.

Referring to FIG. 3, the software desired for downloading to the mobiledevice is identified 300 via a first device. In the illustratedembodiment, this first device is another device capable of communicatingwith a server(s) to effect the transfer of the software to the targetmobile device. For example, a desktop computer, workstation,laptop/notebook computer or other computing device may represent thefirst device in the embodiment of FIG. 3. At this first device, certaininformation or “factors” that may affect the likelihood of operational(including downloading) success of the software on the mobile device arecollected 302. For example, a computer representing the first device mayaccept input via a user input from a user who specifies at least some ofthe information ultimately used by the server(s) to determine thesuccess rate indicator. As a more particular example, such informationentered via a user input may include terminal characteristics, such asmobile device manufacturer, model, version, firmware version, etc. Theinformation may alternatively or additionally include terminalcapabilities such as, for example, screen/display size, device language,location, supported content types, network, camera, operating system,browser version(s), memory capabilities, display resolution, pixelration, etc. The information may alternatively or additionally includenetwork-related information which may be provided via the first deviceuser and/or via detection mechanisms. For example, such network-relatedinformation may include network traffic conditions (e.g., congestionlevel), type of network, operator, etc. The network-related informationmay also include network “restrictions,” such as, for example, whetherthe network is a standard GSM network, whether a certain protocol isavailable (e.g., High-Speed Downlink Packet Access; HSDPA), time of day,latency detection, etc. Other information may also be provided thataffects the success rate calculation, such as historical data. Forexample, such data may include historical data based on encoding fordownloading/installing/executing a particular item, user feedbackregarding the success, etc. Still other information may alternatively oradditional be involved such as geographical data, such as thegeographical data based on encoding where the target device and/or theserver(s) is (e.g., country, city, hotspot). Any information that may beused in a determination of the likelihood of successfully downloadingand/or using the software (or other content) may be involved.

The first device or other device that collects this information thentransfers 304 it to a server(s), which is generically used herein as anysystem or network element that has processing capabilities to calculatethe success rate indicator and communicate it to the requesting device.For example the server may be a stand-alone server(s), a distributedserver system, etc. The server calculates 306 the success rate indicatorfor the mobile device based on one or more of the factors, and transfers308 it to the first device. In other embodiments the success rateindicator may be transferred directly to the target mobile device or toanother device, but in the present embodiment the success rate indicatoris provided to the first device that also provided at least some of theinformation used by the server in calculating the success rateindicator.

If the success rate is not deemed acceptable, the software may not bedownloaded to the mobile device 312. For example, if the success rate issufficiently low, the user of the first device may opt not to attempt todownload and/or use the software on the target mobile device, andtherefore will not initiate the download process. In another embodiment,this may be determined automatically, such that the download processwill not be automatically initiated (e.g., via a monitoring program onthe first device) if the success rate indicator is below a threshold.Alternatively, if the success rate indicator is acceptable as determinedat decision block 310, the first device initiates 314 the downloading ofthe desired software to the mobile device.

As indicated above, detecting the download and/or execution success ratecan be based on various information. By detecting the download/executionsuccess rate based on such information and dynamically monitoring thiskind of service, one aspect of the invention facilitates more reliablepass-throughs from the system (successful downloads). These limits andmeasurement may be performed automatically and the encoding can bechanged, for example, when the success rate is decreasing or there aresome restrictions in the system. For example, if it seems that duringhigher network traffic periods the successful download success rate isdropping due to network latency, then during those “rush hours” theencoding can be tightened so that the file size is smaller and the userexperience (from a downloading perspective) can remain as high as whenthe network is not experiencing such high network traffic and/or higherlatency effects.

For example, in one embodiment, the server can modify the encoding ofthe download content based on the calculated success rate. In oneparticular example, the server can implement tighter encoding to reducethe content file size when the network traffic is higher which wouldotherwise cause the calculated success rate to decrease. In anotherembodiment, tighter encoding may be implemented to reduce the file sizewhen the network traffic is anticipated to be higher, therebyautomatically changing the encoding resulting in an increase in thecalculated success rate. Thus, the system and/or service can provide agreater benefit for the end users by using this and other information toautomatically adjust download considerations to increase the likelydownload success rate.

FIG. 4 generally illustrates the server's receipt of relevantinformation/factors and the consequent calculation of a likely successrate for ultimate consideration by a device and/or user. The embodimentof FIG. 4 contemplates various “stages,” meaning that different successrates may be provided in response to the server's receipt of additionalor different information. By way of example and not of limitation, theexemplary stage-1 400 may provide an initial success rate 402 that isbased on a first set of information, such as the designation of thecountry 404 and network operator 406. In one embodiment, trials fromdevices originating from that country/operator are taken intoconsideration for the success rate history value.

The success rate may be modified if different and/or additionalinformation is provided, which is shown at stage-2 410. For example, ifthe device characteristics 412 are now included in the success ratecalculation (in addition to the country 404 and operator 406), a newlycalculated success rate can be provided. In the exemplary stage-2 410,the device characteristics 412 for that identifiedservice/download/application 414 can be considered. For example, certainmessages can be presented depending on the success rate when the devicecharacteristics 412 are considered. In one embodiment, if that devicehas some history (e.g., three or more trials), a number of success rateranges can be identified that correspond to different success ratesbased on the new information. For example, if the success rate iscalculated to be less than 10% as shown at level 416, the combination ofthis device and the desired service/download/application/etc. can beindicated to be relatively unreliable 418. If the success rate iscalculated to be between 10% and 40% as shown at level 420, thecombination of this device and the desiredservice/download/application/etc. can be indicated to be somewhatreliable 422. If the success rate is calculated to be between 40% and65% as shown at level 424, the combination of this device and thedesired service/download/application/etc. can be indicated to be fairlyreliable 426. Finally, if the success rate is calculated to be greaterthan 65% as shown at level 428, the combination of this device and thedesired service/download/application/etc. can be indicated to bereliable 430. Additional stages-n 432 may similarly be considered, basedon still further information (e.g., network restrictions, geographicinformation, etc.). Alternatively, all of the information can beconsidered as a whole, providing a single success rate indication. Itshould also be noted that the server(s) can change the encoding orperform other actions to attempt to increase the success rate at anystage, such as tightening the encoding to reduce the file size duringperiods of high traffic or where the device capabilities indicate a morelimited memory capacity in the device.

FIG. 5 illustrates a representative working example in which at leastterminal-related information is provided by a computing device toultimately obtain an indication of the likely success rate fordownloading and/or using the identified content on a target device. Afirst screen 500A is presented that includes some user input area(s) inwhich the user can identify terminal-related information. In theillustrated embodiment, the user input (UI) includes a text-entry area502 where a user can enter, for example, a device type, model, etc.Alternatively, a UI area 504 enables the user to identify the targetdevice manufacturer in a list of such manufacturers. In the example ofFIG. 5, it is assumed that the user selected “COMPANY-3” 506 as themanufacturer of the target mobile device, which in response presentsscreen 500B which identifies 508 the selected manufacturer, and listsone or more available products 510 associated with that manufacturer. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the user identifies DEVICE-BBB as theappropriate target device. In response, screen 500C is presented thatidentifies the selected device 512, and may optionally providealternative or additional identifying information for that device suchas an image 514. This information, i.e., the target device type, isprovided to the server for use in generating the proposed success rate,which is then presented as shown at presentation area 516. Additionalinformation entry areas 518 may also be provided to enter additionalinformation which may then result in an updated success rate indicationin the presentation area 516 or similar presentation area. As previouslyindicated, numerous other information items may additionally oralternatively be used in the generation of the success rate indication.

As indicated above, the server(s) can not only calculate and provide ananticipated success rate, but in some embodiments may also take actionto increase the chances of download/execution success if the successrate appears to be inadequate. One example indicated above involveschanging the encoding of the software or other content to reduce itssize to increase the success rate and accordingly the chances ofsuccessful downloading and/or use. Other examples are for the server tochange the content characteristics to increase the likelihood ofsuccessful download/execution, such as to reduce the resolution of animage or video, reduce audio quality, provide a scaled-down version of asoftware item rather than the entire software item, provide olderversions of content/software, etc. Stated differently, the success ratecan be used to detect different kinds of mobile-related content types,meaning that based on content and context as well as technicalcapabilities of the device, there may be more ideal solutions to providecertain types and size of content to certain categories of users withcertain categories of terminals. These different combinations can bedetermined at the server to determine which software/content to deliver,and/or may be provided to the user as alternative options to enable thereceiving device and/or user to select the desired download contentand/or procedure. In any event, as indicated above, the server canutilize the anticipated success rate to take action to improve thecalculated success rate.

FIG. 6 illustrates a representative example of a statistical analysisand recording at the server. FIG. 6 illustrates three differentdocuments or pages 600A, 602A, 604A or other presented information fromwhich a software/content selection may be made. In each of the pages,exemplary corresponding banners 610, 612, 614 are depicted whichrepresents at least a link that user selection thereof (e.g., via acomputing device) initiates corresponding screens 600B, 602B, 604B,which may include links or other presentations such as the images 620,622, 624. The banners 610, 612, 614 may be textual, images, graphical,etc. The overall download success rate may be determined, for example,based on the current terminal capabilities as well as how interesting(e.g., selection clicks/viewers) the content and/or the banners 610,612, 614 that point to the content are.

Based on the number of dropped downloads, a parameter value can beidentified on a case-by-case basis, and then treated as a commonguideline for how to manage certain kinds of content with differentkinds of markets or terminals or a combination thereof. FIG. 6represents an example of three different cases in which downloads occur,which can then be analyzed and used as such a common guideline for howto work with certain kinds of content with different kinds ofmarkets/terminals or a combination thereof. More particularly, it isassumed that a user selects the banner 610 of page 600A, therebypresenting information to download a video (for example). An image 620may be presented corresponding to the video. Information such as thefile size, format, and/or other information may be presented to theuser. If the user opts to download the video (or other content), theresults can be recorded and considered with other attempts to obtainthat content. In the example of page 600A/600B, the illustrated downloadstatistics indicate that 456 attempts to download that video haveoccurred, of which 430 properly ended thereby indicating that 26download attempts failed (e.g., the transmission/content was “dropped”).Similarly, for page 602A/602B, the illustrated download statisticsindicate that 1128 attempts to download that video have occurred, ofwhich 856 properly ended thereby indicating that 272 download attemptsfailed. Finally, regarding page 604A/604B, the illustrated downloadstatistics indicate that 129 attempts to download that video haveoccurred, of which 45 properly ended thereby indicating that 84 downloadattempts failed.

Such download statistics are shown graphically at graph 630, which showsthe percentage of dropped downloads versus the size of the file. As thegraph helps to identify, the most successful downloads based on thelowest percentage of dropped downloads occurred with the downloadinitiated from page 600B involving a 455 KB download. This is also shownin table form at table 640. In one embodiment of the invention, thisstatistical information can be used to create a common guideline as tohow to work with certain kinds of content with different kinds ofmarkets or terminals or a combination thereof.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate representative device and server systems inwhich the present invention may be implemented or otherwise utilized.Like reference numbers are used in FIGS. 7A and 7B where appropriate. Inthe embodiment of FIGS. 7A and 7B, the target device is a mobile device700A, the entity providing the success rate indication is the server750, and an intermediary system 780 is provided to furnish the relevantinformation regarding the target mobile device 700A to the server 750and in turn receive the success rate indication.

The device 700A represents any device capable of performing the targetdevice functions previously described. While the target device may be anon-mobile device, the target device is a mobile device 700A capable ofcommunicating over-the-air (OTA) with wireless networks and/or capableof communicating via wired networks. By way of example and not oflimitation, the device 700A includes mobile phones (including smartphones) 702, personal digital assistants 704, computing devices 706, andother networked terminals 708.

The representative terminal 700A utilizes computing/processing systemsto control and manage the conventional device activity as well as thedevice functionality provided by the present invention. For example, therepresentative wireless terminal 700B includes a processing/control unit710, such as a microprocessor, controller, reduced instruction setcomputer (RISC), or other central processing module. The processing unit710 need not be a single device, and may include one or more processors.For example, the processing unit may include a master processor and oneor more associated slave processors coupled to communicate with themaster processor.

The processing unit 710 controls the basic functions of the device 700Bas dictated by programs available in the program storage/memory 712. Thestorage/memory 712 may include an operating system and various programand data modules associated with the present invention. In oneembodiment of the invention, the programs are stored in non-volatileelectrically-erasable, programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flashROM, etc., so that the programs are not lost upon power down of theterminal. The storage 712 may also include one or more of other types ofread-only memory (ROM) and programmable and/or erasable ROM, randomaccess memory (RAM), subscriber interface module (SIM), wirelessinterface module (WIM), smart card, or other fixed or removable memorydevice/media. The programs may also be provided via other media 713,such as disks, CD-ROM, DVD, or the like, which are read by theappropriate interfaces and/or media drive(s) 714. The relevant softwarefor carrying out terminal operations in accordance with the presentinvention may also be transmitted to the device 700B via data signals,such as being downloaded electronically via one or more networks, suchas the data network 715 or other data networks, and perhaps anintermediate wireless network(s) 716 in the case where the device700A/700B is a wireless device such as a mobile phone.

For performing other standard terminal functions, the processor 710 isalso coupled to user input interface 718 associated with the device700B. The user input interface 718 may include, for example, a keypad,function buttons, joystick, scrolling mechanism (e.g., mouse,trackball), touch pad/screen, and/or other user entry mechanisms.

A user interface (UI) 720 may be provided, which allows the user of thedevice 700A/B to perceive information visually, audibly, through touch,etc. For example, one or more display devices 720A may be associatedwith the device 700B. The display 720A can display web pages, images,video, text, links, television, visual radio information and/or otherinformation. A speaker(s) 720B may be provided to audibly presentinstructions, information, radio or other audio broadcasts, etc. Aheadset/headphone jack 720C and/or other mechanisms to facilitate audiopresentations may also be provided. Other user interface (UI) mechanismscan also be provided, such as tactile 720D or other feedback.

The exemplary mobile device 700B of FIG. 7 also includes conventionalcircuitry for performing wireless transmissions over the wirelessnetwork(s) 716. The DSP 722 may be employed to perform a variety offunctions, including analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion,digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion, speech coding/decoding,encryption/decryption, error detection and correction, bit streamtranslation, filtering, etc. The transceiver 724 includes at least atransmitter and receiver, thereby transmitting outgoing wirelesscommunication signals and receiving incoming wireless communicationsignals, generally by way of an antenna 726. Where the device 700B is anon-mobile or mobile device, it may include a transceiver (T) 727 toallow other types of wireless, or wired, communication with networkssuch as the Internet. For example, the device 700B may communicate via aproximity network (e.g., IEEE 802.11 or other wireless local areanetwork), which is then coupled to a fixed network 715 such as theInternet. Peer-to-peer networking may also be employed. Further, a wiredconnection may include, for example, an Ethernet connection to a networksuch as the Internet. These and other manners of ultimatelycommunicating between the device 700A/B and the server(s) 750 may beimplemented.

In one embodiment, the storage/memory 712 stores the various clientprograms and data used in connection with the present invention. Forexample, the storage/memory 712 can store content 730, applications 732or other software received from the server 750. For example,applications or other software ultimately received by the server 750 oranother content server can be stored as the applications 732. Similarly,the device 700B can ultimately receive software upgrades to existingsoftware 730/732 stored in the storage/memory 712. In embodiments wherethe mobile device itself provides the information for use by the server750 in calculating a success rate indication, the device 700B may alsoinclude an information identification module 734A to provide theinformation, and/or a download initiation module 736A to initiate thedownload from the server 750 or other content server. These applications730 and other modules 734A, 736A may be separate modules operable inconnection with the processor 710, may be a single module performingeach of these functions, or may include a plurality of such modulesperforming the various functions. In other words, while the modules areshown as multiple software/firmware modules, these modules may or maynot reside in the same software/firmware program. It should also berecognized that one or more of these functions may be performed usinghardware. These modules are representative of the types of functionaland data modules that may be associated with a terminal in accordancewith the invention, and are not intended to represent an exhaustivelist. Also, other functions not specifically shown may be implemented bythe processor 710.

FIG. 7 also depicts a representative computing system 750 operable onthe network. One or more of such systems 750 may be available via anetwork(s) such as the wireless 716 and/or fixed network 715. In theillustrated embodiment, the computing system 750 represents theserver(s) that creates the success rate indicator(s) based on theterminal characteristics, terminal capabilities, network restrictions,geographic considerations, historical information and/or otherinformation as described herein. The system 750 may be a single systemor a distributed system. The illustrated computing system 750 includes aprocessing arrangement 752, which may be coupled to the storage/memory754. The processor 752 carries out a variety of standard computingfunctions as is known in the art, as dictated by software and/orfirmware instructions. The storage/memory 754 may represent firmware,media storage, and/or memory. The processor 752 may communicate withother internal and external components through input/output (I/O)circuitry 756. The computing system 750 may also include media drives758, such as hard and floppy disk drives, CD-ROM drives, DVD drives, andother media drives capable of reading and/or storing information. In oneembodiment, software for carrying out the operations at the computingsystem 750 in accordance with the present invention may be stored anddistributed on CD-ROM, diskette, magnetic media, removable memory, orother form of media capable of portably storing information, asrepresented by media devices 760. Such software may also be transmittedto the system 750 via data signals, such as being downloadedelectronically via a network such as the data network 715, Local AreaNetwork (LAN) (not shown), wireless network 716, and/or any combinationthereof.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the storage/memory754 and/or media devices 760 store the various programs and data used inconnection with the present invention. For example, in one embodimentthe storage 754 includes a success rate computation module 772 that isconfigured to calculate the success rate indicators based on theprovided information. The success rate computation module 772 may alsotake action to cause or attempt to change (e.g., increase) thecalculated success rate, such as tightening the encoding to reduce filesize, etc. Additionally, the storage/memory 754 may include the database774A for storing the information from various devices pertaining totheir respective terminal characteristics (e.g., manufacturer, model,etc.), terminal capabilities (e.g., screen size, resolution, memorycapacity, etc.), network-related information (e.g., trafficconditions/congestion, etc.), and/or the like. The database 774A mayalso store content that is ultimately to be delivered to the device700A/B, if the server 750 is also serving as the content server.Alternatively, a content database may be hosted elsewhere such asdepicted by database 774B accessible via a network or otherwise.

The illustrated computing system 750 also includes DSP circuitry 766,and at least one transceiver 768 (which is intended to also refer todiscrete transmitter/receiver components). While the server 750 maycommunicate with the data network 715 via wired connections, the servermay also/instead be equipped with transceivers 768 to communicate withwireless networks 716 whereby an antenna 770 may be used.

FIG. 7B illustrates a representative computing system that may be usedto provide the relevant information pertaining to the mobile device700A/B that is used by the server 750 to generate a success rateindicator. The computing system, shown as the intermediary system 780,may be a implemented using a general purpose or special purposecomputing system. The intermediary system 780 can communicate with theserver 750 using direct connections (e.g., Ethernet, USB, firewire,serial communication, etc.), or via networks such as the fixed 715and/or wireless network 716, peer-to-peer networks, or any other mannerof communicating.

The illustrated computing system 780 includes a processing arrangement782, which may be coupled to the storage/memory 784. The processor 782carries out a variety of standard computing functions as is known in theart, as dictated by software and/or firmware instructions. Thestorage/memory 784 may represent firmware, media storage, and/or memory.The processor 782 may communicate with other internal and externalcomponents through input/output (I/O) circuitry 756. The computingsystem 780 may also include media drives 788, such as hard and floppydisk drives, CD-ROM drives, DVD drives, and other media capable ofreading and/or storing information. In one embodiment, software forcarrying out the operations at the computing system 780 in accordancewith the present invention may be stored and distributed on CD-ROM,diskette, magnetic media, removable memory, or other form of mediacapable of portably storing information, as represented by media devices785. Such software may also be transmitted to the system 780 via datasignals, such as being downloaded electronically via a network such asthe data network 715, Local Area Network (LAN) (not shown), wirelessnetwork 716, and/or any combination thereof.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the storage/memory784 and/or media devices 785 store the various programs and data used inconnection with the present invention. For example, in one embodimentthe storage 784 includes an information identification module 734B toobtain the information about the target mobile device 700A/B. In oneembodiment, this information is collected by way of a user interactingwith the information identification module 734B via a user interface,such as a graphical user interface (GUI), text entry, voice commands,etc. It should be noted that the information identification module 734Bmay be hosted at the server 750, whereby the user accesses the server'sinformation identification module 734B via a browser 789 or otheranalogous program. The illustrated intermediary system 780 also includesa download initiation module 736B used to initiate the download or otherdelivery of the content to the target mobile device 700A/B.

The illustrated computing system 780 also includes DSP circuitry 790,and at least one transceiver 792 (which is intended to also refer todiscrete transmitter/receiver components). While the computing device780 may communicate with the data network 715 via wired connections, itmay also/instead be equipped with transceivers 768 to communicate withwireless networks 716. The system 780 also includes a user interface 794that includes a user output interface 796 and user input interface 798.The user input interface 798 may include, for example, a keypad,function buttons, joystick, scrolling mechanism (e.g., mouse,trackball), touch pad/screen, and/or other user entry mechanisms. Theuser output 796 allows the user of the device 700A/B to perceiveinformation visually, audibly, through touch, etc. For example, one ormore display devices 796A may be associated with the system 780. Thedisplay 796A can display web pages, images, video, text, links,television, visual radio information and/or other information. Aspeaker(s) 796B may be provided to audibly present instructions,information, etc. A headset/headphone jack 796C and/or other mechanismsto facilitate audio presentations may also be provided. Other userinterface (UI) mechanisms can also be provided, such as tactile 796D orother feedback.

Hardware, firmware, software or a combination thereof may be used toperform the functions and operations in accordance with the invention.Using the foregoing specification, some embodiments of the invention maybe implemented as a machine, process, or article of manufacture by usingstandard programming and/or engineering techniques to produceprogramming software, firmware, hardware or any combination thereof. Anyresulting program(s), having computer-readable program code, may beembodied within one or more computer-usable media such as memory devicesor transmitting devices, thereby making a computer program product,computer-readable medium, or other article of manufacture according tothe invention. As such, the terms “computer-readable medium,” “computerprogram product,” or other analogous language are intended to encompassa computer program existing permanently, temporarily, or transitorily onany computer-usable medium such as on any memory device or in anytransmitting device.

From the description provided herein, those skilled in the art arereadily able to combine software created as described with appropriategeneral purpose or special purpose computer hardware to create acomputing system and/or computing subcomponents embodying the invention,and to create a computing system(s) and/or computing subcomponents forcarrying out the method(s) of the invention.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiment of the inventionhas been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. Itis not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possiblein light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of theinvention be limited not with this detailed description, but ratherdetermined by the claims appended hereto and that which one of ordinaryskill in the art can determine based on the description herein.

1. A method, comprising: specifying one or more device attributes of adevice; in response to specifying at least the one or more deviceattributes, receiving an anticipated success indication for at least oneof transferring content to the device and rendering software in thedevice with one or more of the device attributes; comparing the receivedanticipated success indication to a threshold success indication; andbased on a result of the comparison, facilitating selective initiationof the at least one of transferring content to the device and renderingsoftware in the device with one or more of the device attributes.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising specifying one or more networkattributes associated with a network by which the transfer of thecontent to the device will be effected, wherein the receiving of ananticipated success indication comprises receiving the anticipatedsuccess indication in response to specifying at least the one or moredevice attributes and the one or more network attributes.
 3. The methodof claim 1, wherein specifying one or more device attributes of a devicecomprises specifying the one or more device attributes over a networkvia a networked device distinct from the device.
 4. The method of claim1, wherein specifying one or more device attributes of a devicecomprises specifying the one or more device attributes over a networkvia the device.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein specifying one or moredevice attributes of a device comprises specifying at least informationidentifying the device.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein specifying oneor more device attributes of a device comprises specifying at leastinformation identifying capabilities of the device.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein specifying one or more device attributes comprisesselecting the one or more device attributes in response to one or morepresented prompts for the device attributes.
 8. The method of claim 1,further comprising specifying one or more additional device attributesof the device, and in response receiving an updated anticipated successindication for transferring the content to the device based on the oneor more device attributes and the one or more additional deviceattributes of the device.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving ananticipated success indication for rendering software in the devicefurther comprises receiving the anticipated success indication forexecuting the software at the device in response to specifying at leastthe one or more device attributes.
 10. The method of claim 1, whereincomparing the received anticipated success indication to a thresholdsuccess indication comprises comparing the received anticipated successindication to a threshold success indication to determine whether theanticipated success indication is greater than the threshold successindication, and automatically initiating the at least one of thetransfer of the content to the device and the rendering of the softwarein the device if the received anticipated success indication is greaterthan the threshold success indication.
 11. The method of claim 1,wherein facilitating selective initiation of a transfer of the contentto the device comprises presenting at least one user-selectable optionfor specifying whether or not to initiate the transfer of the content tothe device.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the device comprises amobile device capable of wireless communication.
 13. A method,comprising: receiving one or more device attributes of a device and anidentification of requested content; determining an anticipated successrate for successfully transferring the requested content to the deviceand/or utilizing the content at the device; and transferring anindication of the anticipated success rate.
 14. The method of claim 13,wherein the content includes software, and wherein determining ananticipated success rate comprises determining the anticipated successrate for both successfully transferring the requested software to thedevice and successfully implementing the requested software on thedevice.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein transferring an indicationof the anticipated success rate comprises transferring the indication ofthe anticipated success rate to an intermediary computing system fromwhich a decision whether to initiate a download of the requested contentto the device is specified.
 16. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising modifying an encoding of the requested content based on thedetermined anticipated success rate.
 17. The method of claim 16, furthercomprising modifying the encoding of the requested content to reduce asize of the requested content when network traffic has increased. 18.The method of claim 16, further comprising modifying the encoding of therequested content to reduce a size of the requested content when networktraffic is projected to increase, consequently increasing the determinedanticipated success rate.
 19. The method of claim 13, whereindetermining an anticipated success rate comprises determining theanticipated success rate based on a first set of information includingthe one or more device attributes of the device.
 20. The method of claim19, further comprising receiving one or more additional deviceattributes of the device, and wherein determining an anticipated successrate comprises determining the anticipated success rate based on boththe first set of information and on a second set of informationincluding the one or more additional device attributes.
 21. The methodof claim 13, wherein receiving one or more device attributes comprisesreceiving at least information identifying the device.
 22. The method ofclaim 13, wherein receiving one or more device attributes comprisesreceiving at least information identifying capabilities of the device.23. The method of claim 13, further comprising receiving informationregarding network attributes associated with a network by which thetransfer of the content to the device will be effected, and whereindetermining an anticipated success rate comprises determining theanticipated success rate based on the one or more device attributes andthe information regarding the network attributes.
 24. The method ofclaim 13, wherein determining an anticipated success rate comprisesdetermining the anticipated success rate based on the one or more deviceattributes and on historical success rates for transferring therequested content at different encoding levels.
 25. The method of claim13, wherein determining an anticipated success rate comprisesdetermining the anticipated success rate based on the one or more deviceattributes and on historical success rates for transferring therequested content at different encoding levels in different geographicalareas.
 26. The method of claim 13, wherein the device comprises a mobiledevice capable of wireless communication.
 27. An apparatus comprising: atransmitting module configured to transmit one or more attributes of atarget device; a receiving module configured to, in response totransmitting the one or more target device attributes, receive ananticipated success indication for transferring content to the targetdevice and/or utilizing software in the device with one or more of thetarget device attributes; and a processing module configured todetermine whether the received anticipated success indication meetsthreshold criteria, and to allow initiation of the transfer of thecontent to the target device and/or utilizing of the software in thetarget device if the threshold criteria is met.
 28. The apparatus ofclaim 27, wherein the apparatus is implemented in a proxy devicedistinct from the target device.
 29. The apparatus of claim 28, whereinthe proxy device comprises a computing device capable of communicatingover one or more networks.
 30. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein theapparatus is implemented in the target device itself.
 31. The apparatusof claim 27, wherein the transmitting module is configured to transmitat least information identifying the target device as the one or moretarget device attributes.
 32. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein thetransmitting module is configured to transmit at least informationidentifying capabilities of the target device as the one or more targetdevice attributes.
 33. A server comprising: a database storing content;a receiving module configured to receive one or more device attributesof a device and an identification of requested content from thedatabase; a processing module configured to determine an anticipatedsuccess rate for successfully transferring the requested content to thedevice and/or utilizing the content at the device based on at least theone or more device attributes; and a transmitting module configured totransmit an indication of the anticipated success rate in response tohaving received the one or more device attributes and the identificationof the requested content.
 34. The server as in claim 33, wherein: thereceiving module is further configured to receive one or more networkattributes associated with one or more networks expected to be involvedwith a transfer of the requested content to the device; and theprocessing module is further configured to determine the anticipatedsuccess rate based on at least the one or more network attributes. 35.The server as in claim 33, wherein the processing module is furtherconfigured to determine the anticipated success rate based on at leastone or more of date and time.
 36. A method, comprising: specifying, viaa proxy device, one or more device attributes of a target device;receiving the one or more device attributes and an identification ofrequested content at a server, wherein the server determines ananticipated success rate for successfully transferring the requestedcontent to the device and/or utilizing the content at the target device,and transfers an indication of the anticipated success rate to the proxydevice; and receiving the anticipated success rate indication at theproxy device, wherein the proxy device determines whether the receivedanticipated success rate indication meets threshold criteria, andnotifies the server to initiate the transfer of the content from theserver to the target device if the threshold criteria is met. 37.Computer-readable media having instructions stored thereon which areexecutable by a processing system for performing steps comprising:specifying one or more device attributes of a device; in response tospecifying at least the one or more device attributes, receiving ananticipated success indication for at least one of transferring contentto the device and rendering software in the device with one or more ofthe device attributes; comparing the received anticipated successindication to a threshold success indication; and based on a result ofthe comparison, facilitating selective initiation of the at least one oftransferring content to the device and rendering software in the devicewith one or more of the device attributes.
 38. Computer-readable mediahaving instructions stored thereon which are executable by a processingsystem for performing steps comprising: receiving one or more deviceattributes of a device and an identification of requested content;determining an anticipated success rate for successfully transferringthe requested content to the device and/or utilizing the content at thedevice; and transferring an indication of the anticipated success rate.